Michael R. Schneider

Michael R. Schneider is an experienced transactional attorney specializing in commercial real estate.  He serves as co-chair of the Real Estate Practice Group at Stone Pigman Walther Wittmann L.L.C.  Based in New Orleans, he has played a pivotal role in some of the Gulf South's most significant commercial real estate and gaming developments. His portfolio includes many of the landmark projects in and around the New Orleans area such as the Caesars casino, the Canal Place mixed use development, the Loews, Windsor Court, Royal Orleans, Westin New Orleans, Hyatt Regency, Hampton, and Wyndham hotels, the Benson Tower office building, the French Quarter House of Blues, the Riverside Market Shopping Center, and multiple riverboat casinos and retail developments across Louisiana.  He has also represented clients involved in the sale and conservation of a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico and in the development of retail and multifamily projects throughout the Gulf South regions, including Texas, Florida, Mississippi, and Georgia.

Michael earned his J.D. magna cum laude from Tulane University Law School, where he was a member of the Tulane Law Review and inducted into the Order of the Coif.  He holds a B.A. in Political Science from Stanford University.  Following law school, he clerked for the Honorable Walter Marcus of the Louisiana Supreme Court.

Michael is a member of the American and Louisiana State Bar Associations, the International Council of Shopping Centers, and serves as a board member and chair of the board of the Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans.  Recognized consistently by Best Lawyers in America, Chambers and Partners, and Louisiana Super Lawyers, he has twice been named "Lawyer of the Year" in New Orleans for Land Use and Zoning Law and Construction Law.

• Represented the New Orleans Saints and related entities in connection with the team's leases for the Mercedes Benz Superdome, the Saints' suburban training facility, and the acquisition and redevelopment of a mixed-use office and retail project adjacent to the Mercedes Benz Superdome.
• Represented local developer in the acquisition and financing of the Windsor Court Hotel.
• Represented the seller in the negotiation and sale of a barrier island in the Gulf of Mexico to a national conservation organization.
• Represented a casino operator in real estate acquisition, financing, land use, construction, and development of riverboat casino and related properties throughout Louisiana, including Baton Rouge, Lake Charles, Bossier City, and Harvey.
• Represented the developer of the Loews New Orleans Hotel in acquisition, zoning, land use, development, construction, and financing.
• Represented the developer of the Wyndham Riverfront Hotel in New Orleans in acquisition, development and financing.
• Represented the developer in land acquisition, including acquisitions from multiple public agencies, rezoning, resubdivision, financing, and long term ground leasing of the site to a major national retailer.
• Represented the owner of the House of Blues building in the French Quarter in acquisition, permitting, leasing, and development.
• Represented the developer of retail stores throughout Louisiana in land acquisition, development, construction, and financing.

• Contemporary Arts Center in New Orleans Board Member and Past President.
• American Bar Association member.
• Louisiana State Bar Association member.
• International Council of Shopping Centers member. 
• Michael has frequently spoken on real estate topics, including an interview on WDSU - TV in New Orleans and seminars conducted by the Louisiana State Bar Association and the LSU Paul M. Hebert Law Center Institute on Real Estate.

• Best Lawyers in America 2005 - 2026. 
  
  • "Lawyer of the Year" New Orleans for Land Use and Zoning Law 2022 and 2024.
  • "Lawyer of the Year" New Orleans for Construction Law in 2013.
• Chambers and Partners 2003 - 2025.
• Louisiana Super Lawyers 2008 - 2025.
• New Orleans Magazine "Top Lawyer" 2012 - 2024.
• New Orleans CityBusiness 2011, 2014 and 2025 Leadership in Law honoree.